“We had such great times on the road. I was always aware that he was a genius on guitar, his riffs have become legend, as has he.”

Johnson extended his condolences to Malcolm’s family, who he said “will all be devastated”.

“He has left a legacy that I don’t think many can match,” he said.

“He never liked the celebrity side of fame, he was too humble for that. He was the man who created AC/DC because he said ‘there was no Rock n’ Roll’ out there.

“I am proud to have known him and call him a friend, and I’m going to miss him so much.”

Johnson joined AC/DC after the band’s previous lead singer Bon Scott died in 1980. Both Johnson and Malcolm Young were forced to retire from the band in recent years; Johnson due to an ear problem and Young due to dementia.